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The Spartans (5-5) trailed 32-23 largely because of three 3-pointers apiece from Asheville first-year guards Andrew Rowsey and David Robertson.

“Their stats did not say that they shot the ball that well,” Payne said. “Other than Rowsey, the rest of the guys weren't shooting many. But when kids get a good look at it and are feeling good, then you can make those shots.”

“We're an aggressive help team,” said Spartans senior Torrey Craig, who scored 19 points. “Our philosophy is to help hard (inside) and make them kick (the ball outside). If they're making those shots, we'll live with the results. They made enough today.”

Rowsey (19 points) and Robertson (18) cooled from outside in the second half, but remained productive. The Bulldogs (3-7) built a 16-point lead and Upstate got no closer than seven.

“They've shown a great of poise from the season's beginning,” said Bulldogs first-year coach Nick McDevitt. “To be thrown into the starting lineup from the get-go because of injuries, I think they've responded tremendously.”

“They played with more observable desire to win than our team did,” Payne said of the Bulldogs. “I'm really disappointed in our team. I obviously didn't have them ready to play. That's my responsibility. Pretty much we got what we deserved, because we didn't play very well and Asheville did play well.”

The Spartans' largest lead was at 16-10 when Craig connected on a 3-pointer with 9:50 left in the first half. Robertson and Rowsey halved the game's next 12 points and the Bulldogs outscored Upstate 17-2 to fashion a 27-18 lead.

Rowsey credited the Bulldogs' defense with getting the offense in gear.

“I felt like we created our offensive plays off of our defense,” the Lexington, Va., native said.

Robertson's 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in the first half gave the Bulldogs a 32-23 halftime edge. The lead reached 42-26 before the Spartans began their belated comeback.

Ty Greene matched Craig for high-scorer honors for the Spartans.

The loss snapped a streak of 12 consecutive Spartans victories over non-conference opponents in the Hodge Center. It was Asheville's eighth road game of the 10 it has played. McDevitt said playing at Kentucky, Duke, Rhode Island and Charlotte helped his team.

“You're on the road versus big, strong, athletic teams from power conferences,” McDevitt said. “It toughened our team up. It's starting to show now, and that's the reason we do it. Those tough losses early have built some resiliency in our team.”

The Spartans' next game is at South Carolina at 4 p.m. Thursday in Columbia. The game will be televised on Fox Sports South.

<p>USC Upstate men's basketball coach Eddie Payne leveled with his team at halftime of Sunday's 73-63 loss to UNC Asheville at the Hodge Center.</p><p>“I told the team, 'We've got two freshman guards kicking our butt,' ” Payne said.</p><p>The Spartans (5-5) trailed 32-23 largely because of three 3-pointers apiece from Asheville first-year guards Andrew Rowsey and David Robertson. </p><p>“Their stats did not say that they shot the ball that well,” Payne said. “Other than Rowsey, the rest of the guys weren't shooting many. But when kids get a good look at it and are feeling good, then you can make those shots.”</p><p>“We're an aggressive help team,” said Spartans senior Torrey Craig, who scored 19 points. “Our philosophy is to help hard (inside) and make them kick (the ball outside). If they're making those shots, we'll live with the results. They made enough today.”</p><p>Rowsey (19 points) and Robertson (18) cooled from outside in the second half, but remained productive. The Bulldogs (3-7) built a 16-point lead and Upstate got no closer than seven.</p><p>“They've shown a great of poise from the season's beginning,” said Bulldogs first-year coach Nick McDevitt. “To be thrown into the starting lineup from the get-go because of injuries, I think they've responded tremendously.”</p><p>“They played with more observable desire to win than our team did,” Payne said of the Bulldogs. “I'm really disappointed in our team. I obviously didn't have them ready to play. That's my responsibility. Pretty much we got what we deserved, because we didn't play very well and Asheville did play well.”</p><p>The Spartans' largest lead was at 16-10 when Craig connected on a 3-pointer with 9:50 left in the first half. Robertson and Rowsey halved the game's next 12 points and the Bulldogs outscored Upstate 17-2 to fashion a 27-18 lead.</p><p>Rowsey credited the Bulldogs' defense with getting the offense in gear. </p><p>“I felt like we created our offensive plays off of our defense,” the Lexington, Va., native said.</p><p>Robertson's 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in the first half gave the Bulldogs a 32-23 halftime edge. The lead reached 42-26 before the Spartans began their belated comeback.</p><p>Ty Greene matched Craig for high-scorer honors for the Spartans. </p><p>The loss snapped a streak of 12 consecutive Spartans victories over non-conference opponents in the Hodge Center. It was Asheville's eighth road game of the 10 it has played. McDevitt said playing at Kentucky, Duke, Rhode Island and Charlotte helped his team.</p><p>“You're on the road versus big, strong, athletic teams from power conferences,” McDevitt said. “It toughened our team up. It's starting to show now, and that's the reason we do it. Those tough losses early have built some resiliency in our team.”</p><p>The Spartans' next game is at South Carolina at 4 p.m. Thursday in Columbia. The game will be televised on Fox Sports South.</p>